Restraining device



Nov. 17, 1959 H. L. HOLBROOK 2,912,977

RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed Jan. 26, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR Haro/d L. Ho/brooii ATTORNEYS Nov. 17, 1959 H. L. HOLBROOK 2,912,977

RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed Jan. 26, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 c a n 34INVE'N'fOR Harold L. Holbrooli ATTORNEY5 Nov. 17, 1959 H. L. HOLBROOKRESTRAINING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 26, 1959 m E INVENTORHarold L. Ho/brooK BY @dc/awei rfia/rf/wyw ATTORNEYS Nov. 17, 1959 H.1.. HOLBROOK 2,912,977

RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed Jan. 26, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR HaroldL HolbrooK ATTORNEY .5

United States Patent RESTRAINING DEVICE Harold L. Holbrook, East Haven,Conn. Application January 26, 1959, Serial No. 789,470

12 Claims. (Cl. 128-134) This invention relates to a restraining deviceand relates more particularly to a restraining device for intractablepersons. The device is employed to prevent such persons from injuringthemselves or others and may be used in hospitals, other institutions,and in the home. The device may be used merely for the purpose ofpreventing a person from tearing oif his bed and night clothing. Theinstant application is a continuationin-part of a pending earlierapplication, Serial No. 756,- 356, filed August 21, 1958, and nowabandoned.

One object of the invention is to provide a restraining device which,while very effectively restraining a patient, will permit a patientlimited freedom and movement on a bed and which tends to restrain thepatient without causing discomfort.

Another object is to provide a device of the character indicated above,which permits a variable degree of restraint.

Another object of the invention is to provide a restraining device whichmay be quickly secured to prevent a patient from getting out of bed, butwhich also permits the rapid release of the patient when this is desiredby an attendant.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a restraining devicewhich, when not secured to hold a patient down on a bed, sounds an alarmto warn an attendant if the patient attempts to get out of bed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a restraining device embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the device showing the side thereofremote from that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective illustrating therestraining sheet of the device and the bar to which it is secured;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a restraining device of somewhatmodified form;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the restraining device of Fig. 11,illustrating the right-hand side of the device as viewed in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 1313 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a further enlarged perspective view of one of the bar locksemployed in the device of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner inwhich one side edge of the restraining sheet is reinforced in themodified form;

o selectively receive the bolts 29 ('Fig. .5) which secure the 2,912,977Patented Nov. 17, 1959 Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of thesliding blocks employed to tie down the last-mentioned side of therestraining sheet, showing the block associated with a cord;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating certain detailsof a curtain employed on the modified form of the device; and

Fig. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which therestraining sheet is secured to a bar employed in the restrainingdevice.

The restraining device is employed on a bed for a patient and mayinclude a headboard and a footboard, or their equivalents, at therespective ends of a conventional bed. In the form illustrated in Figs.1 through 10, the bed is constituted by a cot, that is, a mattresssupporthaving. neither a headboard nor a footboard but having legs tosupport it on the floor between the headboard and footboard' of therest-raining device.

In the last-mentioned form, the headboard is indicated at 10 and thefootboard at 11. The headboard and footboard are interconnected by sideframes 12 and 13. The mattress support is indicated generally at 14, andincludes a box spring 14* resting on and supported from a leggedstructure 15. The side frames 12 and 13 are spaced above the floor, notshown, and secured at their respective ends to the headboard and thefootboard, the frames being secured as by suitable bolts '16 supportedby flange members 17 suitably fixed to the headboard and the footboard.As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, for example, the mattress support 14 isclosely confined between the headboard and the footboard and is alsoclosely confined between the side frames. A mattress 18 of approximatelythe :same dimensions as the box spring 14 rests upon the latter forsupport thereon. As shown in-Fig. 4, the mattress 18 extends upwardlyfrom the support 14 a distance beyond the upper edges of the side frames1'2 and 13.

Bars 20 and 21 extend lengthwise of the bed between the headboard andthe footboard. The bar 20 is laterally spaced from one side of themattress and is normally approximately level with the top of themattress 18. The bar 21 is disposed over and close to the mattress andthe bed clothing, not shown, at the side or marginal po1' tion of themattress remote from the first-mentioned side of the mattress. Tosupport the bar 21 and permit "adjustment of the latter toward and awayfrom the center of the bed, blocks 23 and 24 are provided-on theheadboard and footb'oard, respectively. The block 23 is provided with aplurality of laterally spaced bar-receiving sockets 23 to permit lateraladjustment of the bar 21, and the block 24 (Fig. 5) is provided withsimilar sockets 24 aligned with the sockets 23 The sockets 23 and 24*are of a diameter only slightly in excess block 24 or adjusted withrespect thereto. It will be understood from the foregoing that only theextreme endv portions of the bar 21 are received in the blocks 23 and24. It will also be understood that, after the bar has been removed fromthe blocks 24, the bar may be pulled out of the block 23. The blocks 23and 24 are preferably vertically adjustable to adjust the bar 21 forcots of various vertical dimensions. To this end, two laterally spacedand upwardly extending series of holes 28 may be drilled in theheadboard and the footboard to blocks in place. In this form, the blocks23 and 24 are elongated horizontally and each carries two of the bolts29 at each end. The bar 21 may be formed entirely from a length of metalpipe constructed of an alloy which is light in weight, and the bar 20may be formed at least in part by a section of pipe.

The bar 20 has one end thereof received in a socket formed in a block 30(Fig. attached to the footboard as by bolts 31. The footboard has twolaterally spaced and upwardly extending series of holes 32 dn'lledtherein to selectively receive the bolts 31 so that the block may beadjusted vertically. 'At the other end thereof the bar 20 is received ina block' 33 best shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and secured to the headboard asby bolts 34. The two laterally spaced and upwardly extending series ofholes 32 (Fig. 4) drilled in the headboard permit the block 33 to beadjusted vertically. The adjustability of the blocks 30 and 33 permitsthe bar 26 to be adjusted vertically for cots of diflerent verticalimensions. In effect, the bar 20 is pivotedto the block 30 attached tothe footboard so that the bar may swing to a limited extent in avertical plane.

To permit this swinging movement, the socketed block 30 receives thecorresponding end of the bar 20 somewhat loosely, and the other end ofthe bar is received in a vertical slot or recess 35 formed in the block33 to permit vertical floating movement of the corresponding end of thebar in the block 33. The block 33 may be formed of any suitable materialwhich is a nonconductor of electrical current. As indicated above, thebar 20 may include a section of pipe. One end of the pipe is received inthe socketed block 30 on the footboard and the other end thereof isexternally threaded, as at 36 (Fig. 6). A flange member 37 having aninternally threaded collar part 38 is provided on the bar 20, the collarpart 38 being threaded on the threaded end of the bar. The flange member37 has a bladelike part 39 which extends into the vertical recess 35(Fig. 7) in the block 33 for vertical movement in the latter. The part39 of the flange member 37 is formedof current-conducting material andmay be integral with the collar part 38. The bladelike part 39 isadapted to make and break a circuit through engagement and disengagementwith a contact member 40 disposed in the bottom of the slot or recess 35in the block 33. The member 40 may be secured to the block 33 as by ascrew 40 (Fig. '6). Wires 41 and 42 are connected to the bladelike part39 and the contact member 40, respectively. These wires may form aconventional low-voltage circuit including an alarm such as a bell 43(Fig. 4) and a transformer 43, and includingthe usual plug means forconnection to a suitable electrical outlet.

The bladelike part 39 of the flange member fixed to the bar 20 is urgedupwardly or away from the contact member 40 by any suitable means. Inthe illustrated form from the bladelike part 39 is urged upwardly in theslot 35 by one or more endless elastic cords 44 which extend through arecess 45 in the lower edge of the part 39. The elastic cords extendupwardly and over a generally L-shaped bracket 46, as shown in Fig. 6.As shown in the last-mentioned view, the cords 44 extend over agenerally horizontally projecting arm 47 of the bracket above the block33. The arm 47 joins an arm 48 at substantially right angles thereto.The bracket 46 is supported by a portion of the arm 48 which issandwiched between the block 33 and the headboard. Thebracket 46 may beadjusted vertically after loosening the bolts 34 which secure the block33 to the headboard. An adjusted position of the bracket 46 is shown inbroken lines in Fig. 6. To limit upward movement of the bladelike part39 in the recess 35, the block 33 is provided. with a horizontal bore 49extending therethrough to receive a removable pin 50. As shown in Fig.7, the block. 33 may have a lower transverse bore 51 through which. thepin 50 may be extended to prevent contact of the bladelike part 39 withthe contact member 40? when this,

4' is desired. As shown in Fig. 6, the bore 51 is spaced upwardly fromthe contact member 40. The purpose and operation of the alarm willappear hereinafter.

The restraining device includes an oblong restraining sheet 52 which maybe formed of tough flexible material such as woven fiber. The sheet 52may extend close to the footboard 11 and cover a patients chest andarms, butthe arms may be free if desired. The sheet 52 may be spacedfrom the headboard 10 to the extent indicated in Fig. 2. At one side ofthe bed the sheet 52 is looped over the bar 21 and securely stitched toitself to form a sleeve 53 by which the sheet 52 may be removablysecured to the bar 21.

The restraining sheet 52 extends across the bed from the bar 21 andextends over the edge of the mattress at the other side of the bed. Asshown in Fig. 4, the sheet 52 extends between the last-mentioned edge ofthe mattress and the bar 20. As viewed in Fig. 4, the right-hand edge ofthe restraining sheet is tied down to the side frame 12 in a mannerwhich will appear hereinafter. To tend to prevent the restraining sheetfrom slipping up and down the bed, a split ring 54 embraces the upperend of the sleeve 53 and is provided with aligned or diametricallyopposite holes 55 through which a pin 56 may be extended. The pin 56extends through similar holes in the sleeve 53, and the holes 55 in thering may register with any two of a longitudinal series of holes 57provided in the bar 21, so that the pin 56 may extend through the bar.The series of holes in the bar 21 permits the restraining sheet to beadjusted lengthwise on the bar 21, and permits the upper side edgeportion of the restraining sheet to be secured against dislocation. Itwill be understood that the pin 56 may be removed when it is desired toremove the sheet from the bar 21, as for cleaning purposes. When thelast-mentioned bar is removed from the blocks which secure it to theheadboard and footboard, the sheet may be pulled oil the bar afterremoval of the pin 56.

To reinforce the edge of the restraining sheet which is tied down to theframe 12 as best shown in Fig. l, the edge of the sheet may be foldedover a stout cord 58 (see Fig. 9) and then stitched. Threelongitudinally spaced pairs of strip members may be employed toreinforce the last-mentioned edge of the restraining sheet, these pairsbeing indicated at 59, 60 and 61. The strip members, which may be formedof any suitable material such as wood, may vary in sumber, and if;desired the strip members may extend the entire length of therestraining sheet. The strip members or" each pair sandwich thelast-mentioned edge of the restrainingsheet therebetween and are boltedtogether, as at 63. The cord 58, which extends below the strip members,in the manner indicated in Fig. 9, very effectively tends to prevent thesheet from pulling out from between the strip members. Of course, thestrip members may be removed from the sheet when it is desired to cleanthe latter.

The reinforced edge of the sheet is tied down to the side frame 12 ofthe bed by a plurality of cords 64. As shown in Fig. 1, two of thesecords are employed to tie down the upper edge portion of the restrainingsheet, and each of the last-mentioned cords has an end suitably securedto the pair of strip members 59. Each of the lastmentioned cords may runthrough a snap hook 64 secured to an eye bolt 64 (Fig. 4) provided onthe side frame 12, each cord forming a running loop adjustable by meansof a block 65 like the block shown in Fig. 16. As shown in Fig. 1, oneof the last-mentioned cords 64, the cord nearest the headboard, isinclined in a direction to prevent the upper side edge portion of therestraining sheet from being pushed downwardly toward the footboard. Theother cord 64, which is secured to the pair of strip members 59, isarranged approximately vertically to prevent the corresponding side edgeportion of the restraining sheet from being lifted vertically. The cords64, which are secured to the pair 59 of strip members, are preferablyspaced in the manner indicated in Fig. 1. AS shown in the last-mentionedview, one cord 64 is provided to hold down the edge portion of therestraining sheet which is reinforced by the pair 60 of strip members,and another cord 64 is provided to hold down the edge "por tion of thesheet which is reinforced by the pair 61 of strip members. These cordsalso forin adjustable loops and are secured to the respective.stripmembefs andthe side frame 12 in the same manner as the cords 64which are secured to the pair 59 of strip members. The cords 64 whichare connected to the pairs 60 and 61 of the strip members are arrangedapproximately vertically to prevent the restraining sheet from beinglifted.

A wide transverse strap 66, which may be made of several folds of thesheet material, is provided to overlie the upper edge portion of therestraining sheet. As shown in Fig. 4, the strap 66 extends over the bar21 and down the corresponding side of the mattress. The strap 66 alsoextends over the other side of the mattress and between the side of themattress and the bar 20. The ends of the strap 66 are reinforced likethe edge of the restraining sheet which is tied down to the side frame12. The reinforced ends of the strap 66 are tied down to the respectiveside frames of the bed. For this purpose, two cords 67, similar to thecords 64, are provided on each reinforced end of the strap 66, and thecords 67 are secured to the respective side frames in a manner similarto the cords 64. The cords 67 are spaced apart and are inclined in sucha way as to strongly resist pulling movement up and down the bed. Asindicated in Fig. 2, the strap 66 extends over the restraining sheet inthe region of the patients chest. The primary purpose of the strap 66 isto reinforce the upper edge portion of the restraining sheet. The strap66 may be dispensed with if the upper edge of the restraining sheet isreinforced in another manner. However, the strap 66 in some cases may beemployed on the bed without the restraining sheet, that is, when therestraining sheet has been removed from the bed. The strap 66 may beemployed to hold down persons who need little restraint.

The restraining device includes an abdominal belt, indicated generallyat 68 (Fig. 2). The belt 68 is provided with two diverging anddownwardly extending straps 69 which form an acute angle with oneanother (see Fig. 2) and have at their respective lower ends cords 70which are tied down to the respective side frames like the cords 64 and67. As indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the cords 70 extend to a pointadjacent the footboard.

The use of the restraining device will be apparent from the foregoingdescription of its construction. The patient lies on the bed, which maybe provided with the usual bed clothing, under the restraining sheet.The bar 21 to which the restraining sheet is attached may be adjustedtoward or away from the center of the bed to vary the degree ofconfinement of the patient. It will be understood that the closer thebar 21 is to the center of the bed, the closer the patient is confinedin the bed. The restraining sheet 52 and the strap 66 may be tied downfirmly to the side frame 12 by an attendant. The looped cords may beadjusted by the blocks 65 to permit adjustment of the sheet 52 and thestrap 66 in accordance with the size of the patient. The abdominal belt68 is worn by the patient to prevent the patient from squirming out ofthe bed, that is, squirming upwardly in the bed between the restrainingsheet and the mattress. The belt 68 permits the patient some freedomof-movement side wise in the bed, and also permits the patient to rollon one side or the other. Due to the fact that the bar 21 closelyoverlies the mattress, the patient cannot get out of the bed between themattress and the side of they re straining sheet which isv attached tothe bar 21. Nor can the patient get out of bed at the other side becausethe corresponding edge of the restraining sheet is tied down. Of course,the footboard prevents the patient from squirming out of the bed in adownward direction. It the side of the bed remote from that shown inFig. l is pushed against the wall, the other side of the bed ispresented to the patient for getting in and out, and the patient climbsover the bar 20 in getting in and out of the bed. If, for some reason,the patient is not held down on the bed by the restraining sheet and thepatient attempts to get out of the bed over the bar 20, the bar 20 isswung downwardly or depressed by the p-atients weight and the circuit tothe alarm is completed to ring the bell 43 and call an attendant. Itwill be understood that when the patients weight is removed from the bar20, the bar is returned to its normal position by the elastic cords 44,and the circuit to the bell is broken. It may be desirable to preventthe circuit to the bell from being closed. This may be done by removingthe pin 50 from the bore 49 in the block 33, and inserting the pin inthe bore 51. When the pin is in the bore 51, the pin provides anabutment for the bladelike part 39 of the bar 20 and prevents the part39 from coming in contact with the contact member 40 of the bell circuitwhen the bar is depressed. The upward pressure exerted on the bar 20 bythe elastic cords 44 may be varied by adding or subtracting from thenumber of cords 44 or by adjusting the bracket 46 vertically. While, inthe form of Figs. 1 through 10, the mattress support 14 has neither aheadboard nor a footboard, the mattress support may have both aheadboard and a footbo'ard, provided that the bars 20 and 21 can extendfreely through both.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 11 through 18, the restrainingdevice is attached to a conventional hospital bed having upright membersat its ends which provide;

in effect, a headboard and. a footboard, indicated at 71 and 72,respectively. The headboard of the hospital bed has the usual upwardlyextending laterally spaced bars 73 while the footboard has similar bars74. .The headboard and footboard, which are of metal, each haveconventional legs 75 integral therewith and of tubular form. The bedincludes four conventional brackets 76,,

two of the brackets being suitably fixed to the respective sides of theheadboard and the other two being fixed to the respective sides of thefootboard. The brackets 76 Support a conventional flat bed spring 77 inthe usual manner and the spring supports a mattress 78. It will beunderstood that the spring 77 rigidly interconnects the headboard andfootboard. The bed may be provided with the customary casters 79 so thatit may be moved easily from place to place in a hospital.

The restraining-device includes a panel 80, preferably formed of wood,extending across the headboard at the face thereof nearest thefootboard. The panel 80 is supported by a pair of elongate members 81which extend transversely ofthe bed at opposite sides of the headboard,the arrangement being such that two or more of the bars 73 areinterposed between the members 81, as shown in Fig. 11. Bolts 82 extendthrough the panel 80 and the members 81 t'o draw the panel tightlyagainst the nearest member 81 and redraw the members 81 toward eachother so that they firmly engage the bars 73 of the bed which extendtherebetween. In this manner the panel 80 is, in effect, clamped to thebars 73 and it will' be understood that the panel, which is of a heightless than the bars 73, may be adjusted vertically on the bars afterfirst loosening the bolts 82. A similar panel 83 is arranged in likemanner on the footboard. The panel 83 is clamped to the bed by bolts84'which extend through the panel 83 and through members 85, similar tothe members 81, and disposed at opposite sides of the footboard.

In this form of the invention the restraining device includes two alarmbars 86, similar to the alarm bar 20 described above, the bars 86 beingdisposed at the respective sides of the bed and each having one endloosely received in a hole or recess in the panel 80 so that the otherend thereof, the footboard end, may be permitted limited verticalswinging movement. The last-mentioned ends of the bars 86 are receivedin blocks 87 (Fig. vl3), similar to the blocks 33 described above, theblocks 87 being secured to the panel 83. Each block 87 is provided witha bracket 88 like the bracket 46 described above. Each bracket 88,instead of supporting one or more elastic cords, supports one end of acoil spring 88*. The other end of the spring is connected to thecorresponding bar 86 to urge the footboard end thereof upwardly. Eachblock 87, like the block 33, is provided with an electrical contact forengagement with the corresponding bar when the latter is depressed, andthe contacts and the bars are wired in a parallel circuit (see Fig. 13)including a transformer 89 and a bell 90. The arrangement is such that,if either bar is depressed, by the weight of a patient attempting to getout of the bed at one side or the other, the circuit is closed to ringthe bell 90 and thereby summon an attendant. As indicated above, theform of Figs. 1 through differs in part from the form of Figs. 11through 18 in that in the last-mentioned form the floating ends of thebars are not at the headboard end of the bed but are at the other endthereof.

The restraining device also includes a bar 91 which, as will appearhereinafter, may be lifted under certain conditions to release thepatient from the bed when this is desired by an attendant. To makelifting of the bar 91 relatively easy for a female attendant, the barmay be constructed of a light, metal alloy. The bar 91, similar to thebar 21 described above, is employed to hold down one side of arestraining sheet, indicated generally at 92. One end of the bar 91 isreceived in either of two laterally spaced sockets 93 provided in thepanel 80. The other end of the bar 91 is releasably secured in one oftwo blocks 94, one of the blocks 94 being shown to advantage in Fig. 14.The block 94 which secures the bar 91 is disv posed on the panel 83 (seeFig. 13), providing two barreceiving sockets 95 aligned with therespective recesses or sockets 93. The block 94, which positions thecorresponding end of the bar 91 and constitutes a bar lock, is elongatedtransversely of the bed and is split horizontally through the centers ofthe sockets 95. The split sections of the block, one being indicated at96 and the other at 97, are provided with metal straps 98 and 99,respectively, the straps being hinged together, as at 100. The blocksection 97 is suitably secured to the panel 83. The strap 98, which is Lshaped, is suitably secured to the block section 96, while the strap 99,which is generally U-shaped and embraces the ends of the section 97, issecured to the section 97 in a conventional manner and has an extension99 which overlies the end of the block section 96 nearest thelongitudinal median line of the bed. The arrangement is such that thesection 96 may swing upwardly on the hinge 100 and toward the medianline of the bed to release the corresponding end of the bar 91. To lockthe bar 91 between the sections 96 and 97 a removable pin 101 isprovided which may be inserted through the strap 98, the block section96 and the strap extension 99 as shown in Fig. 14. The pin 101 may besecured to the strap 99 by a chain 102 of a length insufficient forremoval of the pin from the block section 96 but sufficient to permitthe pin to be withdrawn from the strap extension 99 This prevents lossof the pin. The pin may extend through a notch 103 in the section 96 andhave a transverse bore 104 therein to be located in the notch when thepin is in position to secure the block sections together in fixedrelation to one another. When the pin is in this position the shackle ofa padlock may be extended through the bore 104 to lock the pin 101 inits operative position.

The restraining sheet 92 is similar to the sheet 52, described above,and has a side edge looped around the bar 91 and stitched to the sheetto provide a sleeve for the last-mentioned bar. Like the bar 21, the bar91 may be easily removed from the restraining sheet. To adjust- 8 ablysecure the corresponding side portion of the upper edge of the sheet tothe bar 91, a bolt 105 (see Fig. 18) is provided which may be receivedin any one of a plurality of pairs of holes 106 in the bar 91 spacedapart longitudinally of the latter throughout a portion of its length. Anut 107 is provided to secure the bolt in the selected pair of holes anda coupling member 108 of figure-eight form is adapted to extend throughthe upper edge of the restraining sheet and around the bolt to fitsnugly below the head of the latter to prevent patient from pushing therestraining sheet down on the bar 91. The upper edge of the restrainingsheet may be heavily reinforced to prevent tearing of the sheet by aviolent patient. For this purpose a comparatively wide band 110 ofmaterial may be stitched to the upper marginal portion of the sheet and,as shown in Fig. 18, a cord 111 may further reinforce the upper edgeportion of the sheet by being stitched in a fold of the band. The band110 may be formed of the same material as the restraining sheet or, ifdesired, maybe of heavier material. The band and the cord 111 may extendaround the bar 91, as shown in the last-mentioned view. The bar 91,which is shown in the outermost socket 95 and the corresponding socket93, may be adjusted laterally toward the center line of the bed andpositioned in the other socket 95 and the corresponding socket 93, whenit is desired to further restrict movement of the patient in the bed.While only two sockets 95 and two sockets 93 are shown, it

' will be understood that more of these sockets may be provided toincrease the range of adjustment of the bar 91 if this is desired.

The side edge of the restraining sheet 92 remote from the last-mentionedside edge thereof is reinforced in a manner similar to the reinforcementof the sheet 52, described above, so that it may be tied down. For thispurpose three pairs of strips 112, of wood or other suitable material,are employed. As shown in Fig. 11, the pairs of strips 112 are somewhatspaced apart along the bed and a fold (Fig. 15) of the restraining sheetis sand- Wiched between the strips of each pair. The strips are clampedon the folded edge of the sheet as by bolts 113 which may extend throughgrommets provided on the sheet to prevent tearing of the latter, onesuch grommet being shown in Fig. 15 and indicated at 114. To furtherprevent the sheet from being torn out of the reinforcing strips a cord115 may extend longitudinally within the,

last-mentioned fold and below the reinforcing strips, as shown in Fig.15. It will be understood that the strips may be removed from the sheetwhen it is desired to clean the latter. The sheet 92, unlike the sheet52, has the bottom or lower edge thereof cut on the bias (Fig. 13) sothat the reinforced side edge of the sheet is longer than the side edgeof the sheet which is secured to the bar 91. The biased edge extendsover the bottom edge of the mattress and tends to hold down the bedcovers (not shown) in this region so that the patient cannot push hisfeet out from under the covers. The excess material of the restrainingsheet may be tucked under the mattress and the double-back end portionof the lastmentioned side edge of the sheet may be reinforced by a shortpair (Fig. 11) of strips 116, similar to the strips 112.

The reinforced side edge of the restraining sheet 92 is tied down bycords 117 similar to the cords 64 de scribed above. Each cord 117 has alooped end running through a conventional block 118 (Fig. 16). Thelast-mentioned ends of the cords run through eye members 119 provided ona side frame member 120 forming a part of the restraining device. Theside frame member 120, which may take the form of a length of angleiron, is spaced below the reinforced edge of the restraining sheetlongitudinally of the latter and is supported by the corresponding legs75 of the bed. The member 120 may have its ends welded to thelast-mentioned legs adjacent the ends thereof and, as shown in Fig. 11,the

middle portion of the member may be provided with a floor-engagingcaster 120. As shown in the last-mentioned view, the cords 117, as well'as the eye members 119, are spaced apart lengthwise of the bed, and theother ends of the cords are secured to the strip members 112 and 116.ina suitable manner. The arrangement is such that the reinforced edge ofthe sheet may be adjustably and very securely tied down to the sideframe member 120. As shown in Fig. 11, certain of the cords 117 mayextend at an inclination to the reinforced edge of the sheet toeifectively resist the pulling down of the corresponding side portion ofthe upper and lower edges of the sheet, that is, pulling of the sheetbythe patient in a direction toward the foot of'the bed.

'For esthetic and possibly psychological reasons, a curtain 122 may beemployed to hide the cords 117 which tie down the sheet 92. This may beespecially desirable if the bed is usedin a ward or at home. The curtain122 is supported from a bar 123, similar to the bar 91, and .having itsends arranged for support from the headboard and footboard at the sideportions thereof remote from the side portions at which the bar 91 isdisposed. As indicated above and shown in Fig. 11, the bars 91 and 123are located inwardly of the respective alarm bars 86, that is,intermediate the center line .of the bed and the corresponding alarmbar. .As previously indicated, the restraining device includes two ofthe bar blocks 94, one beingemployed to releasably secure one end of thebar .91. The other block 94, for the bar 123, is secured to [the panel83 at the sideportion thereof remote from the side portion which carriesits twin. The sockets 95 of the block are aligned with sockets 124provided in'the panel '80. One end of the bar 123 is releasably securedin .one .of the sockets .95 of the corresponding block 94 while theother vend is received .in the corresponding socket .124. Thelast-mentioned block is arranged on the panel 83 so that the blocksection 96 swings inwardly toward the center 'line of the bed on thehinge 100 to releasethebar 123 from the block. 'The bar 123 serves twofunctions. It not only supports the curtain 122, but it also'isadjustable in the sockets '95 and 124toward and away ffrom'thecenterline of the 'bed to'vary the freedom o'fniovement permitted.thepatient. The bar 123, like the bar "91, is closely adjacent "themattress and when both of these'bars are positioned in the innermostsockets the patientfis-closely confined in the center-of. the bed. Whileonly'two sockets '95 and two sockets 124 are provided for adjustment ofthe bar .123 in the illustrated form, a .greater number of sockets maybe provided to permit a widerrange of adjustment if this'is desired.

.As'best shown in Fig. 17, the upper portion of the material which formsthe curtain 122may be folded down on itself and stitched to form twovertically spaced sleeves 125 and'126 extending horizontally throughoutthe length (if-the curtain, and the bar 123 may support the curtain bybeingIinserted in either of thelast-mentioned sleeves. As shown in Fig.13, thebar is positione'd in the sleeve 126 w'hich,.as shown'in Fig. 17,is thelower sleeve. .As shown in Fig. 13, thebar 123 is positioned inthe outermost.socket 95 and the part of the curtain which forms theupper'sleeve 125 is tucked down between the restraining sheet and .aportion of the'curtain 122 which extends below the sleeve .126. It willbe understood from the foregoing that the bar 123 may be inserted .inthe upper sleeve 125 when the bar is positioned .in the innermost socket95. This permits adjustment of the .bar 123 without raising the lower.edge of the'curtain which may be tied down to the side framernernber120. The lower edge of the curtain may be hemmed and a cord 128 passedthrough the hem and through eye members 129 provided on the frame member120 at the respective ends .of the curtain. The ends'of the cord 128 mayextend upwardly from the respective .eye members 129 and terminateinbound loops which maybe padlocked, as at 130,10 suitable fittingsprovided on the stationary v by sliding the latter off the bar.

fit

brackets 76 at the corresponding side of the bed. 01 course, the curtainmay be unlocked and raised by an attendant to permit adjustment 'of thecords 117 which tie down the restraining sheet, and it will beunderstood that the restraining sheet may be adjusted by the cords inaccordance with the size of the patient. It will be further understoodthat the padlocked curtain tends to prevent unauthorized persons orambulant patients in a ward from tampering with the cords 117 If the bed.is used in a place where there is no danger of tampering, the padlockedcord may be removed from the curtain. It may also be noted here thatthere is no necessity for padlocking the pins 101 of the respectiveblocks 94 unless there is a danger that the pins may be tampered with byunauthorized persons .or ambulant patients.

In the form of the restraining device shown in Figs. 11 through 18, thepatient may be even more quickly .restraint of'the sheet when therelease of a patient is desired by an attendant. To release the patientfrom the sheet the attendant pulls the pin in the block which securesthe bar 91. The restraining sheet, which may be under some tension whilethe 'bar is held fast in this block, may then cause the bar to pop outof the block. This movement of the bar may effect its .release from thecorresponding socket 93. If this does not occur, the bar, which aspreviously pointed outmay be very light, is easily lifted out of thesocket .95 and then shifted toward the head of the bed to release thebar 91 from the socket 93. The bar and the restraining sheet may then beeasily lifted in the manner shown in broken lines in Fig. 13 andsubsequently placed so as to lie on the other side of the patient. Thepatient .is then free of the restraining sheet. This manner of releasingthe patient obviates the need of manipulating'the cords which tie downthe restraining sheet. It will be understood that the bar 123 may bereleased from support from the headboard and footboard in like manner.When the bar 123 and the curtain 122 are released, the bar may be easilyremoved from the curtain When the bars 91 and 123 are in their operativepositions, they may, like the bar 21, depress the corresponding portionor portions of the mattress to efiectively inhibit the pushing of an armor leg of the patient between these bars and the mattress.

The restraining device includes an abdominal belt 131 similar to theabdominal belt 68 described above and'which, if desired, may be providedWith-a grommeted adjustment strap to receive a small padlock. The belt131 is provided with two diverging and downwardly extending straps 132which form an acute angle to one another (Fig. 11) and have at theirrespective lower ends cords 133 which are 'adjustably tied down to thelower corners of the'bed spring.

In accordance with the foregoing disclosure, there is provided a veryeifective device for restraining intractable persons. One advantage ofthe device is that it ,permits a patient limited movement on a bed, andtends to restrain the patient without causing discomfort. Anotheradvantage of therestraining device is that it permits a variable degreeof restraint. The device may be quickly secured to restrain a patientand may be quickly released, when this is desired by an attendant. Stillanother feature of the device is that it includes an alarm to warn anattendant if a patient who is not secured in the bed attempts to leavethe bed.

Fromtheforegoing, it will be obvious that a headboard and a footboardmay constitute parts of the restraining device and be employed with abed either having or not having a headboard and a footboard, as in theform of Figs. '1 through 10. It will also be obvious that therestraining device does not necessarily include 'a headboard and afootboard and that the bars of the restraining device maybe supported byadjustable panels on the headboard and the footboard of a conventionalbed, as in the form of .Figs. 11 through 1.8. It may also be noted that-the bars may be supported from wooden boards,

11 or the like, of a conventional bed, without the panels. In likemanner, the side frame member to which the re: straining sheet is tiedmay. be constituted by an element. of the restraining device or may beconstituted by a side frame member of a conventional bed.

While two forms of the restraining device have been illustrated 1n thedrawings and described above, it will be apparent that the restrainingdevice may take other forms and is susceptible of various changes indetails without departing from the principles of the invention and thescope of the claims. I

What I claim is:

1. In a restraining device for use with a bed mattress and a bed spring,a headboard, a footboard, a side frame member extending between theheadboard and the footboard at one side of the mattress, a bar havingits ends supported from the headboard and the footboard respectively andclosely overlying the mattress at the side edge portion thereof remotefrom the first-mentioned side of the mattress, a restraining sheet tocover a patients chest and extend over at least a portion of thepatients legs, the sheet having one side edge thereof secured to the barand having the remote side edge at the first-mentioned side of themattress, said sheet having means thereon to secure the last-mentionededge to said member, and an alarm mechanism to warn an attendant if anunsecured patient leaves the mattress from the first-mentioned sidethereof, said mechanism comprising a vertically depressiblealarm-actuating bar extending the length of the mattress at thefirst-mentioned side thereof, which is depressed by the patients weightas the patient leaves the first-mentioned side of the mattress, thelast-mentioned bar being spring urged in an upward direction and havingits ends supported from the headboard and footboard respectively.

2. A restraining device as defined in'claim 1, wherein the bar to whichthe restraining sheet is secured is supported from the headboard and thefootboard to' enable the bar to be adjusted toward and away from thecenter of the mattress and thereby vary the degree of confinement of thepatient.

3. A restraining device as defined in claim 2, wherein the bars aresupported from the headboard and footboard for vertical adjustment ofthe bars.

4. A restraining device as defined in claim 3, wherein the sheet issecured to the first-mentioned bar by a sleeve part of the sheet whichembraces the bar.

5. A restraining device as defined in claim 4, wherein the sheet issecured to the side frame by a plurality of elongate flexible membersspaced apart along at least a major part of the length of the sheet.

6. In a bed structure for an intractable person, a headboard, afootboard, side frame members extending between the headboard and thefootboard, a bed spring, a mattress on the bed spring, a bar having itsends supported from the headboard and footboard respectively and closelyoverlying the mattress at one edge portion thereof, a restraining sheetto cover a patients chest and extend over at least a portion of thepatients legs, the sheet having one side edge thereof secured to the barand having the remote side edge at the other side of the bed, saidremote edge having means thereon to secure the edge to the correspondingside frame member, and an alarm mechanism to warn an attendant if anunsecured patient leaves the bed from the last-mentioned side thereof,said mechanism comprising a vertically depressible alarm-actuating barextending the length of the mattress at the side thereof at which thesheet is secured to the side frame member, which is depressed by thepatients weight as the patient leaves the last-mentioned side of thebed, the last-mentioned bar being spring urged in an upward directionand having its ends supported from the headboard and footboardrespectively.

'7. In a bed structure for an intractable person, a headboard. afootboard, side frame members extending between theheadboard and thefootboard, a bed spring, a mattress on the bed spring, a bar having itsends supported from the headboard and footboard respectively and closelyoverlying the mattress at one edge portion thereof, a restraining sheetto cover a patients chest and extend over at least a portion of thepatients legs, the sheet having one side edge thereof secured to the barand having the remote side edge at the other side of the bed, saidremote edge having means thereon to secure the edge to the correspondingside frame memher, a transverse strap to reinforce the upper edge of therestraining sheet and overlying the upper marginal portion thereof, thestrap having means at its ends for'securing the strap to the respectiveside frame members, and an alarm mechanism to warn an attendant if anunsecured patient leaves the bed from the last-mentioned side thereof,said mechanism comprising a vertically depressible alarm-actuating barextending the length of the mattress at the side thereof at which thesheet is se-' cured to the side frame member, which is depressed by thepatients weight as the patient leaves the lastmentioned side of the bed,the last-mentioned bar being spring urged in an upward direction andhaving its ends supported from the headboard and footboard respec-'tively.

8. In a restraining device for a bed having a headboard, a footboard, abed spring supported from the headboard and footboard, and a mattress onthe spring, the combination of a bar extending lengthwise of themattress and closely overlying one side portion thereof, means on boththe headboard and the footboard for rigidly supporting the respectiveends of the bar, a restraining-sheet to cover a patients chest andextend over at least a portion of the patients legs, the sheet havingone side edge thereof secured to the bar and having the remote side edgeat the other side of the bed, a side frame member at said side of thebed at a level below the mattress and supported from the headboard andthe footboard, said remote edge of the sheet having means thereon tosecure the edge to the side frame member, and an alarm mechanism to warnan attendant if an unsecured patient leaves the bed from thelast-mentioned side thereof, said mechanism comprising a vertically depressible alarm-actuating bar extending the length of the mattress atthe side thereof at which the sheet is secured to the side frame member,which is depressed by the patients weight as the patient leaves thelast-mentioned side of the bed, the last-mentioned bar being springurged in an upward direction and having its ends sup.- ported by saidmeans on the headboard and footboard.

9. A' restraining device as defined in claim 8, where in thefirst-mentioned bar is supported from said means for adjustment towardand away from the center of the bed to vary the confinement of thepatient in the bed.'

10. A restraining device as defined in claim 9, wherein the alarmmechanism includes a second alarm-actuating bar at the opposite side ofthe bed from the first-mentioned alarm-actuating bar, the second barhaving its ends supported by said means on the headboard and footboard.

11. In a restraining device for a bed having a headboard, a footboard, abed spring supported from the headboard and footboard, and a mattress onthe spring, the combination of a first bar extending lengthwise of themattress and closely overlying one side edge portion thereof, a secondbar extending lengthwise of the mattress and closely overlying the otherside edge portion thereof, means on both the headboard and the footboardfor rigidly supporting the respective ends of the bars, a restrainingsheet to cover a portion of a patients body, the sheet having one sideedge thereof secured to the first bar and havingthe remote side edge atthe other side of the bed, the sheet extending under the second bar, aside frame member at said side of the bed at a level spaced below themattress, and supported from the head board and the footboard, saidremote edge of the sheet having a plurality of elongate flexible memberssecured thereto at spaced intervals and securing the last-mentioned edgeof the sheet to the side frame member, a curtain supported from thesecond bar to extend over the sheet-securing members, the first andsecond bars being adjustable toward and away from each other to vary theconfinement of the patient in the bed, the first bar having a quickreleasable connection to the said means on the headboard and thefootboard to permit release of the patient from the sheet, and an alarmmechanism to warn an attendant if an unsecured patient leaves the bedfrom either side thereof, said mechanism comprising verticallydepressible alarm-actuating bars at the respective sides of the bed,either of which may be depressed by the patients weight as the patientleaves the corresponding side of the bed, the last-mentioned bars beingspring urged in an upward direction and having their respective endssupported from said means on the headboard and footboard.

12. In a restraining device for a bed having a headboard, a footboard, abed spring supported from the headboard and footboard, and a mattress onthe spring, the combination of a first bar extending lengthwise of themattress and closely overlying one side edge portion thereof, a secondbar extending lengthwise of the mattress and closely overlying the otherside edge portion thereof, means on both the headboard and the footboardI for rigidly supporting the respective ends of the bars, a.

restraining sheet to cover a portion of a patients body, the sheethaving one side edge thereof secured to the first bar and having theremote side edge at the other side of the bed, the sheet extending underthe second bar, a side frame member at said side of the bed at a levelspaced below the mattress and supported from the headboard and thefootboard, said remote edge of the sheet having a plurality of elongateflexible members secured thereto at spaced intervals and securing thelast-mentioned edge of the sheet to the side frame member, and a curtainsupported from the second bar to extend over the sheet-securing members,the first and second bars being adjustable toward and away from eachother to vary the confinement of the patient in the bed, the first barhaving a quick releasable connection to said means on the headboard andthe footboard to permit release of the patient from the sheet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS648,621 Hooper May 1, 1900 2,102,281 Pringle Dec. 14, 1937 2,284,448Reinholz May 26, 1942 2,784,395 Gorby Mar. 5, 1957

